A Surprising Split

The Detroit Lions have made a surprising move by deciding to waive quarterback Hendon Hooker, their 2023 third-round draft pick. This decision comes after head coach Dan Campbell hinted at a possible need for Hooker to seek a change of scenery.

Hooker's Journey with the Lions

At 27, Hooker was once shining as a standout quarterback at Tennessee, overcoming an ACL injury that cut his 2022 season short. The Lions saw potential in him as a potential successor to Jared Goff, hoping he would evolve into a key player for the team.

Lack of Progress

Despite a promising background, Hooker failed to secure the backup quarterback position, losing out to Kyle Allen during the competitive summer roster battles. Coach Campbell acknowledged Hooker’s hard work but emphasized that a disconnect had formed between the player and the team.

What’s Next for Hooker?

In his short tenure, Hooker played in just three games, completing 6 of 9 passes for 62 yards, demonstrating moments of potential but not enough to cement his role with the Lions. Now, as he enters the waiver wire, there’s a chance that other teams may step up and pick him up. The clock is ticking: will teams see the value in him before he officially hits the market?

Potential Trade Before Waiver?

There’s a possibility that the Lions won’t waive Hooker until Tuesday, which could spark trade interest from franchises looking for a development project at quarterback. With many teams always on the lookout for promising talent, could Hooker find himself in a new, thriving environment?